GENOA – Though Genoa enters the season with its third head coach in four years, some elements of the Comets’ defense will remain constant.

“We’re a little smaller, but we’re fast and hard-nosed and we love the game,” senior Cody Pickard said. “We’ve known each other since kindergarten so there’s a bond and we’ll have each other’s backs.

“This team’s strength will be its speed, but nobody is afraid of contact. We fly to the ball and hit.”

Pickard, an all-Ohio kicker, will help the Comets shorten the field. His booming kickoffs and punts will force opponents to drive a long way, and he’s capable of booting field goals outside the range normally seen in high school.

“Any time you have a kicker of his quality, his coach is happy,” said Paul Patterson, who is in his first year as head coach. “He’s a game changer. Kickoffs, field goals and punts … he can change the complexion and a lot of coaches would love to have him.

“He’s one of our better athletes. He’s a football player, not just a kicker.”

Pickard will also start at defensive back and in the offensive backfield. Genoa returns five starters on defense.

“Kicking will be a big role, but on defense and offense they’ll rely on me to step up for the younger DBs,” Pickard said. “Last year, when we needed a play we looked to the seniors and now we’ll be looked at to make plays.

“This will be my first year starting at running back so I’ll try to open holes, protect the ball when it’s in my hands and make plays.”

Senior Blake Traver was honorable mention all-Ohio on defense last season. Senior Nick Wolfe is also likely to play in all three phases at outside linebacker and in the offensive backfield. Senior Jake Wojciechowski is another outside linebacker.

Senior Andrew Belcik will also see his role expand in the secondary after demonstrating a nose for the football in his opportunities last season.

“He came on last year and played a fair amount with a few interceptions,” Patterson said. “He’s had a good camp. He’s stepped up and should be a leader. He’s not one you’ve heard of under the radar … he’ll surprise some people.”

Genoa, however, is unlikely to sneak up on anybody. Its players consider winning a responsibility.

“With seven years of Coach (Tim) Spiess and Coach (Mike) Vicars, some things are different,” senior quarterback Kyle Edwards said. “They have their own ways of coaching. I love them both – it’s different – but our job at Genoa is to win and prepare kids for the future.”

GENOA COMETS

Coach: Paul Patterson (first season)

Last year: 10-1, (7-0 Northern Buckeye Conference, lost to Bryan in first round of postseason).

Outlook: Genoa will look to contend for a league title with many players moving into new roles. Wojciechowski will start at outside linebacker with Nino and Traver in the middle. Baird will provide depth at linebacker. Edwards will likely start in the secondary. Joe McClear, Louis Cutchall and Matt Herrick will be the tackles. Kyle Rozek will be in the defensive line’s rotation while Donte McClure should contribute in the defensive backfield. Belcik, Wojciechowski, Pickard and McClure will return kicks. Genoa seeks its seventh league championship in eight years. Lake returns Jared Rettig at quarterback. “Eastwood does what Eastwood does and coach (Jerry) Rutherford has them prepared,” Patterson said. “Rossford has improved. There’s plenty of experience (in the NBC). I’m the rookie.”